Holidays are often lost on the incarcerated, memories of a time lost that many may never find again.  Often, I find myself saddened by a cheerful Christmas spirit, or thoughts of a Thanksgiving feast, sad because right now I can only pretend that not being with loved ones and family doesn’t hurt, knowing they are missing me too.

Yet, I find myself celebrating a more unorthodox day, my own little holiday.  It may be meaningless to most, but it means the world to me.  I have found a day I will always celebrate, a day I can smile for, a day that I take stock of all that I am grateful for. On that day, I always eat a big meal of whatever I can scrounge out of my box, all with great joy and happiness. 

What is this day I find solace in?  To that I say – what comes after a sentence?  For many of us, the correct answer is appeals.   My special day of celebration is connected to my appeals.  It is a day that gave me another chance at life.  I won my 35(c) Ineffective Assistance of Counsel and my Rule 33 Motion For A New Trial on December 29, 2017.  This is my Christmas, my New Year, all my holidays rolled into one. 

I won’t poison my celebration with all the legalities, the ‘should haves’, ‘what ifs’ and everything else that I might not still agree with.  I don’t want to take away from or diminish my special holiday in any way. All that matters to me is that on December 29, 2017, my 198 year prison sentence had the door opened, and I was given a chance at life again.  Turning 198 years into twenty is something worth celebrating, let me tell you.

Due to my newly found personal holiday, maybe the orthodox holidays will some day feel special again.  Maybe one day I will be ‘that guy’ with the annoying overly cheerful Christmas spirit, or have a Thanksgiving feast, and maybe some day somebody will make me their Valentine.  One day, I’ll be able to draw designs in the air with sparklers and hide  Easter eggs in the neighborhood.

One day, I’ll be able to do all of that, but for me, my favorite holiday will always be Elation Day, December 29. 

Dear Sugar Baby,

Sometimes the lines get blurred, and I don’t know which of us is saving the other.  I have no idea what you’ve been through, where you’ve been, or where you are going, but when I met you, I knew it was my job to do the best I could for you. What you don’t know is, while I’m teaching you the skills to succeed, you are doing the same for me.

Thank you for having the patience to teach me patience and for never complaining, even though we all have bad days.  Thank you for showing me that regardless of our flaws we can love and be loved. I’ve been known to put my life on the edge, self destruction the product of my decisions, but I cannot allow that while your precious life is in my hands.

You’ve never cared about my past, what I look like or what I have.  You just look at me with those beautiful green eyes, your tail waggin’, simply happy with the moments we share together in our 6’ x 9’ home.

Thank you for training me Sugar Baby.   I’ll miss you.

Josh

I am one of many trainers, and Sugar Baby is one of many dogs.  The Colorado Prison Trained K-9 Companion Program has given many individuals the opportunity to see the change they can create.  Just like us, some of these dogs have been hurt, abandoned, and lack the knowledge they need to succeed. Also like us, some of them are on their last chance.  We invest ourselves, 24 hours a day, to provide them with the socialization skills, obedience training and love they need.

To take a scared, hurt, or distrustful being and teach them to become a fun, loving and playful part of someone’s family, sometimes in weeks, shows us what we are capable of.  The dogs we get to care for are amazing and they teach us how amazing we are along the way.  If they can turn out so wonderful, then we can too.

You can find out more about our program at www.coloradocelldogs.com

ABOUT THE WRITER.  Mr. Kenyon is currently living behind bars, but as Sugar Baby would tell you, he is capable of positively impacting the world. Without question – there should be more programs like this. Joshua Kenyon can be contacted at:

Joshua Kenyon #150069
21000 Hwy 350 E
Model, CO 81059

I wish there was a positive way to clear people’s distorted perceptions – without making enemies of them.  I wish there was a way people could realize their own flaws and laugh at them, while inspiring change.   Some roads just are bumpier than others, and some of us keep hitting the same bump over and over.  And then, sometimes, we adjust our actions to prevent us from being on that same road and hitting that same bump – no job, no home, divorce, prison, whatever the personal ‘pothole’ seems to be. 

I’m doing the best I can, given the circumstances.  I’m a ‘master handler’ in the Prison Trained Canine Companion Program.  I just completed an Entrepreneurial Operations course and got accepted to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.   

Often the advice given is that which is best taken, and I’m following my best advice.  I’m becoming who I want to be. 

ABOUT THE WRITER. Mr. Kenyon is a first time writer here, and I’m very glad he has joined us. I hope we hear more from him, and I hope we get to hear more regarding the positive impact of the canine program he is a part of. Joshua Kenyon can be contacted at:
Joshua Kenyon #150069
21000 Hwy 350 E
Model, CO 81059